As I sit here this snowy Monday morning, I’m reflecting on where I’ve been and where I am now. In 2012 I started working for two partners of a large firm here in Tacoma. The end of 2014 held a lot of changes though.

Around that time, four partners, including the two partners I worked. decided to break away and form their own firm. They found this little office space in the Theater District which was supposed to be a bistro, but never was actually built out. It truly was a shell – literally four walls and a “loft” and nothing else. This concrete shell was transformed into 6 offices, 2 workrooms, conference room, and reception area. Then on January 2, 2015, we opened our doors.

Right from the start this place had a completely different feel. This isn’t a place of wood paneling and dusty law books. This is a bright and open concept area, with revolving art from local artists on the walls and glass fronted offices. The reception area just begs you to stop and chat either around the large rolling work table or relax into the couch and chairs by the fireplace.

From the first moment the doors opened for business, there was a very different vibe. We’ve all heard the term “team approach” but I’ve never seen it to the extent I have here. The attorneys have the bar numbers and the staff normally takes care of everything else, right? Not here! There’s no job here that is “attorneys” and/or “staff.” We all pitch in whenever and wherever is needed whether it be refilling the copiers with paper, answering phones and greeting clients, or running to the post office or store.

Shortly after we opened that “team approach” became very evident. Our overhead pendant lights had been back ordered so it was a bit dark, but workable. Around 4:00 p.m. one afternoon, a partner walks through the kitchen into ankle deep water! “Flood” rang out and everyone abandoned what they were doing to see what needed to be done. Here we have suits (minus jackets) and ties together with dresses and heels trying to deal with water flowing from the restroom and flooding the kitchen/reception desk. One partner yells to save the cabinets while I tell him to forget the cabinets and save my computer which, at the time, sat on the floor with water rapidly approaching. Talk about funny – just picture it – it’s late on a January afternoon, the attorneys are professionally dressed and attempting to stop the flood. Two are mopping and putting the water in a bucket while the other two are trying to carry and dump the bucket out to the middle of the street to dump it in the sewer drain. Talk about Keystone Kops! Once the water was dealt with and everyone could breathe a sigh of relief, we noticed the drain in the middle of our courtyard – which they walked over several times to get to the middle of the street.

The firm has always done things out of the ordinary — my 50th birthday they surprised the firm with a limo ride and appetizers at Shenanigans; and then there was an afternoon ride on the 90-year-old fishing boat Commencement, just to name a few. Recently I had an issue with propane at home and they were supportive, offering to help in any way possible. No matter what is going on, whether personally, professionally, or in the community, this firm always steps up. There isn’t a day that goes by that makes me want to be anywhere else. Mind you, I still have those days where nothing goes right, but the attorneys here make you laugh and enjoy even the most stressful and trying of days.

From the moment the attorneys opened the doors, it’s been the most challenging and rewarding experience of my 30+ year career and I’m honored and proud to not only work here, but to nominate Ledger Square Law, P.S. for Firm of the Year.